Creating an Alternate Email Address | Outlook

Overview

This article serves as a how-to guide for those who need to set up an Outlook address.
 

Setting up an Outlook Address

1. Open a web browser window and navigate to outlook.com
2. A large blue button should be on the screen “Create free account.” Click the button.
3. A prompt will appear for Create account.
   1. Please choose what the account should be named (e.g., joebuser@outlook.com). Outlook.com or Hotmail.com can be selected from a drop-down menu.
   2. If the desired new account name is taken, an error message in red text will be displayed: “Someone already has this email address. Try another name.”
      1. If Microsoft detects a similarly named account in use, it may prompt with “You may already have an account.”
      2. The option “Create the account anyway” can be chosen, which could cause problems later. It is recommended that a new name be created. To do so, click the back arrow in front of the desired name to go back.
   3. Once an acceptable name has been chosen, click Next.
4. A prompt will appear for Create a password. Select an appropriate password.
   1. The option to opt-in or opt-out of Microsoft offer emails can be toggled.
   2. If the selected password does not meet Microsoft’s standards, an error message in red text will be displayed: “Passwords must have at least 8 characters and contain at least two of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.”
   3. Once an acceptable password has been chosen, click Next.
5. A prompt will appear for What’s your name? Enter the appropriate First and Last name. When done, click Next.
6. A prompt will appear for What’s your birth date?
   1. Select the appropriate country and birth date from the drop-down menus.
   2. Once all information is provided, click Next.
7. A prompt will appear for Create account. This should be a verification step to protect against robotic hacking.
   1. Read the image and provide the characters seen within. If the image cannot be read or the information is invalid upon entry, click the New button to receive a new image.
   2. An option for an audio challenge is available. Click the Audio button to use it as an alternative to the image.
   3. Once the characters have been provided, click Next.
8. Microsoft should be processing the request. A prompt will appear with “Almost there…”.
9. When finished, the prompt will disappear and display the inbox for the new account.
10. Finally, Microsoft requests an account verification step to send the first email.
    1. A prompt should appear with Verify your account.
    2. Microsoft requires the Country code and a Phone number to be provided for verification.
    3. Once the information has been entered, click the Send code
    4. A new box will appear with "Enter the access code." Provide the code obtained via SMS text message. If a code has not been received, click the I didn’t get a code text to send another.
    5. Once the code has been provided, click Verify.
       1. The verification step can take a minute, but if the code is not entered in a timely manner, it may give an error. Request a new code and complete the step above.
    6. The verification window will disappear, and the message(s) will be sent out.
11. Congratulations! A new personal Outlook account has been set up.

What if I have more questions?

If you have any questions, you can contact our IT Help Desk via email at helpdesk@tntech.edu or via phone at 931-372-3975 during campus office hours.